February 2012 PMID 22165917

"They are happier and having better lives than I am": the impact of using Facebook on perceptions of others' lives.

Hui-Tzu Grace Chou, Nicholas Edge

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Mentions

10
Peak: 3 in Feb 2020
across 2 sources since Dec 2019

Extended reach

851,832
potential audience

Total likes

43

Video views

345

Mentions per month

Dec 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a keen interest in how social media shapes perceptions, with examples like comments on the tendency of users to view others as happier or having better lives, and comparisons to current social media behaviors. Words such as 'tend' and phrases like 'replication in class' show critical engagement and ongoing debate about the article's relevance and accuracy.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the research's findings that social media influences perceptions of others' happiness, with some agreeing that the tendency to see others as happier is notable.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high interest, referencing ongoing debates about social media's effects and mentioning related studies and replication efforts.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts include reflective questions and references to research details, indicating deep engagement with the topic and its broader implications.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest awareness that this understanding impacts how people perceive social media's role in everyday life, though some discuss the limitations or evolving nature of these perceptions.

Abstract in brief

  • The study finds that college students who use Facebook more frequently and for longer periods tend to perceive others as happier and having better lives.
  • These perceptions are influenced by cognitive biases, where users rely on easily recalled positive content and attribute others' happiness mainly to their personalities rather than external factors.
  • The research suggests that greater involvement with Facebook, especially along with having more acquaintances as friends, correlates with more positive perceptions of others' lives.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Digital Society Lab
@DSociometrics · X

Ljudi imaju tendenciju da sebe predstave u najboljem svetlu na društvenim mrežama.Osobe koje dosta vremena provode na Facebook-u posećujući profile svojih prijatelja smatraju da oni imaju srećnije i bolje živote od njih. Više o istraživanju na: https://t.co/WyHuNwaeQS #bigdata https://t.co/QmpNrptopK

Feb 29, 2020 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 214 followers View post →
Tolu Ogunlesi
@toluogunlesi · X

“They Are Happier and Having Better Lives than I Am”: The Impact of Using Facebook on Perceptions of Others' Lives | Paper by Hui-Tzu Grace Chou and Nicholas Edge | Published 9 Feb 2012 https://t.co/IgV8KlhBla

Oct 24, 2023 · 2 likes · 832,244 followers View post →
Dr. Michael Ralph
@MichaelCRalph · X

@Willmdunn I think this is a really important question Will. I have two thoughts. 1) Social media is specifically designed for people to manage how they are perceived. Talk (and tweeting) is cheap. https://t.co/2WjEMUGb4K

Dec 24, 2019 · 2 likes · 1,091 followers View post →
Keith Wylie
@bkwylie_ · X

Students have disputed this finding the past few times I've taught Social Psych. They say that the way we use social media is so different now than 2012. So we did a quick & dirty replication in class. Trends still there (mostly). https://t.co/Rsguuyed43

Sep 7, 2021 · 2 likes · 674 followers View post →
Yaziid A.
@YaziidHP · X

ان بعض الدراسات مؤخرا ركزت على ان جانب من جوانب مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي الذي ساهم بارتفاع مشاكل الاضطرابات النفسية سوآءا بسبب المقارنة بين حياة الفرد الشخصية وما يراه في حياة أناس اخرين او البحث عن الكمال الوهمي. مثال: https://t.co/NXJafD7PIp واحد التوصيات لتحسين الحالة النفسية

Mar 13, 2024 · 1 like · 42 followers View post →
Chidambara .ML.
@chidambara09 · X

RT @DSociometrics: Ljudi imaju tendenciju da sebe predstave u najboljem svetlu na društvenim mrežama.Osobe koje dosta vremena provode na Fa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 2 shares · 11,670 followers View post →

All mentions

Yaziid A.
@YaziidHP · X

ان بعض الدراسات مؤخرا ركزت على ان جانب من جوانب مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي الذي ساهم بارتفاع مشاكل الاضطرابات النفسية سوآءا بسبب المقارنة بين حياة الفرد الشخصية وما يراه في حياة أناس اخرين او البحث عن الكمال الوهمي. مثال: https://t.co/NXJafD7PIp واحد التوصيات لتحسين الحالة النفسية

Mar 13, 2024 · 1 like · 42 followers View post →
Tolu Ogunlesi
@toluogunlesi · X

“They Are Happier and Having Better Lives than I Am”: The Impact of Using Facebook on Perceptions of Others' Lives | Paper by Hui-Tzu Grace Chou and Nicholas Edge | Published 9 Feb 2012 https://t.co/IgV8KlhBla

Oct 24, 2023 · 2 likes · 832,244 followers View post →
JeffWill
@J_Real3 · X

https://t.co/n2abs7L9An

Oct 20, 2022 · 5,055 followers View post →
Keith Wylie
@bkwylie_ · X

Students have disputed this finding the past few times I've taught Social Psych. They say that the way we use social media is so different now than 2012. So we did a quick & dirty replication in class. Trends still there (mostly). https://t.co/Rsguuyed43

Sep 7, 2021 · 2 likes · 674 followers View post →
Chidambara .ML.
@chidambara09 · X

RT @DSociometrics: Ljudi imaju tendenciju da sebe predstave u najboljem svetlu na društvenim mrežama.Osobe koje dosta vremena provode na Fa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 2 shares · 11,670 followers View post →
Ljubisa Bojic
@nagoyacastle999 · X

RT @DSociometrics: Ljudi imaju tendenciju da sebe predstave u najboljem svetlu na društvenim mrežama.Osobe koje dosta vremena provode na Fa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 2 shares · 485 followers View post →
Digital Society Lab
@DSociometrics · X

Ljudi imaju tendenciju da sebe predstave u najboljem svetlu na društvenim mrežama.Osobe koje dosta vremena provode na Facebook-u posećujući profile svojih prijatelja smatraju da oni imaju srećnije i bolje živote od njih. Više o istraživanju na: https://t.co/WyHuNwaeQS #bigdata https://t.co/QmpNrptopK

Feb 29, 2020 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 214 followers View post →
Dr. Michael Ralph
@MichaelCRalph · X

@Willmdunn I think this is a really important question Will. I have two thoughts. 1) Social media is specifically designed for people to manage how they are perceived. Talk (and tweeting) is cheap. https://t.co/2WjEMUGb4K

Dec 24, 2019 · 2 likes · 1,091 followers View post →